Review: Church of Marvels

Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Church of Marvels follows four people in 1895 New York. Sylvan is a privvy cleaner who finds a baby left for dead on his rounds. Belle and Odile Church are twins who grew up in the the Coney Island Sideshow whose lives are turned upside down by a fire, Alphie is a young woman imprisoned in Blackwell's Lunatic Asylum. These four characters all from very different backgrounds have secrets that are revealed throughout the story and whose lives are intertwined in the most unusual way.

I ended up really enjoying this book but the first half seemed slow and extremely mysterious. Each chapter is from a different character's point of view, except for Belle's. Although I followed the story in the first half, I just didn't know how these characters would end up interacting and it became frustrating at times. But once you get through that first part, the story sails and I thought it was quite a page turner. I loved the ending.

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Review: Between the World and Me

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Between the World and Me is Ta-Nehisi Coates' letter to his son discussing race relations today. Coates discusses his view of life as a black man in a world where the news is filled with issues and violence like Ferguson, MO, Trayvon Martin, and Freddie Gray. Coates talks about how he feels he is unable to control what happens to his physical body, the dream that many long for, and his time searching for his mecca.

The book seems bleak but offers a powerful message that should be read by everyone, regardless of race or creed. He does end on a hopeful note, with a poignant message left for his son and for generations to come.

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Review: Wishin' and Hopin'

Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cute Christmas tale in the vein of A Christmas Story. This centers around the fictional character of Felix Funicello (supposed cousin of Annette Funicello) a fifth grader at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial school. Felix has to contend with the school snob, a new student who happens to be a hot and sassy Russian girl, and his best friend who is going through puberty. The class is assigned a major part in the school Christmas program and shenanigans ensue leading up to the big night.

Very funny read that I thought was at times laugh out loud funny. It wasn't as "Christmassy" as I expected, but was still a great read for the holidays!

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Review: The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe

The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe by David I. Kertzer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Pope and Mussolini is a very thorough look at the rise of Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini in the years leading up to World War II. Detailed are the Lateran Accords, the rise of Fascism in Italy, the strained relationship between the two men and their relationship with King Emmanuel, the many loves of Mussolini, and their eventual deaths. The author uses the fairly new release of Vatican and Italian documents from the period as resources. There is a lot of surprising detail and it is obvious that Kertzer did his research.

Well worth the read, especially if you do not know much about Italian/Catholic history of the time. It doesn't shine a good light on the Catholic leaders of the time, but ends with hope for the future.

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Review: Holidays on Ice

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cute, quick read. Typical David Sedaris humor. A couple of the stories fell a little flat for me, but overall, they were good for a chuckle. Sedaris pokes fun at the absurdity of Christmas commercialism and how many people tend to overdo things. Santaland was my favorite.

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Review: Christmas Bells

Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beautifully written story based on the classic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Chiaverini intertwines two stories, one set in the 1860s and the Civil War that follows Longfellow and his family and the events that inspired the poem, and the other a modern day story of parishioners of St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Boston whose lives are facing issues of struggle and concern. Chiaverini switches settings in each chapter, generally leaving a bit of a cliffhanger to each story. The final chapters tie everything together, leaving the reader with a message of hope and redemption. Despite what might be wrong in the world, ..."The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men." (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

I enjoyed the story, especially the background of Longfellow and his family. The modern story was sweet and pretty much ended as expected, i.e. predictable. This is not a riveting tale but a nice story that's especially poignant today with all that is going on in the world and makes for a great holiday read. I had one minor complaint in that there were a few grammatical/spelling errors. I read the Kindle version and suspect (hope) the issues were a result of the translation to that format. Chiaverini is an established author and I would expect her editor would not allow for so many mistakes.

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Review: One Man Against the World: The Tragedy of Richard Nixon

One Man Against the World: The Tragedy of Richard Nixon by Tim Weiner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One Man Against the World should perhaps be subtitled The Tragedy of America. The affects of Nixon's actions throughout his political career, left an indelible mark on the nation. Tim Weiner pulls information from newly released audio tapes and written documents to present the true character of Nixon during his administration from Vietnam to Watergate to his impeachment. Most people have an idea of who Nixon was, but Weiner shows the reader that there is much more than the public ever knew. All of the deceit and concealment is clearly laid out in shocking detail. The reader will also learn just how many people surrounded Nixon and helped to cover up his shenanigans and participate willing in his plans.

I think this is a must read for anyone remotely interested in politics and current events. It is chilling to know how easily a person in charge of a nation can abuse their authority the way Nixon did. Vietnam could have likely ended at the end of Johnson's term if not for Nixon. Nixon betrayed the nation and the affects are still felt today.

I received this book gratis through the History Book Club on Goodreads

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Review: The Hangman's Daughter

The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Hangman's Daughter is a work of fiction but is based on the author's ancestors. Jakob Kuisl is a 17th century hangman/executioner in the Bavarian town of Shongau. A young boy is found dead and immediately the town's burgomasters want to point the finger at the local midwives, suspected of being a witch. Jacob and his family know the midwife well (she delivered his kids) and vows to find the real murderer before he has to execute her. It's a bit action packed, with mystery and historical fiction.

I thought it was a great read and I am looking forward to the next in the series. I love the ancestral element/connection between the author and the main character. Although it is a dark story of murder and mystery, there is a bit of a comedy tone between Jakob and the young doctor in town, Simon, who has a thing for Jakob's daughter. One of my favorite reads this year.

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Review: Yes Please

Yes Please by Amy Poehler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Amy Poehler's humor. Some of my favorite Saturday Night Live characters are a product of her imagination. Yes Please is Poehler's autobiography written in the same stream of consciousness that she is known for. Poehler talks about her childhood, how she got into comedy, her time in the Upright Citizens Brigade, Saturday Night Live, and most recently Parks and Recreation. She also discusses her marriage and divorce with Will Arnett and her children Archie and Abel. Poehler has had an interesting life and likely has many more interesting stories to tell.

I listened to the audio version of the book. She read it along with some of her friends like Seth Myers, Kathleen Turner, and Carol Burnett. The last chapter was read to a live audience. I thought it was the best chapter, but I like live recordings over a book that is just read in a studio. Where I enjoyed the book and learning about Amy Poehler, I didn't love the book. I thought it was a bit disorganized (like her) and rambling at times. It wasn't written in any chronological order. I think that is what bothered me about it. I also got tired of hearing about all the drugs she did or what drug induced haze had her writing different bits of her past comedy. Ultimately, I think she is a good, kind-hearted person with a lot of insane episodes in her life and she has a great way of telling her stories.

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Review: Encounters at the Heart of the World: A History of the Mandan People

Encounters at the Heart of the World: A History of the Mandan People by Elizabeth A. Fenn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Encounters at the Heart of the World is a detailed history of the Mandan people from the Missouri river valley area of North Dakota. This is a tribe that was once a large, thriving people that over time was nearly decimated. They battled natural elements, disease and rodents brought by European traders, and battled area tribes, losing 90% or so of their population. Today they are remembered and their descendants have begun to reignite the customs and ceremonies once celebrated by the Mandan people.

Very interesting look into a tribe that I had not previously heard (or remembered) of. Fenn does an excellent job of providing details about everyday life and the issues the Mandan faced.

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Review: If Someone Says "You Complete Me," Run!: Whoopi's Big Book of Relationships

If Someone Says "You Complete Me," Run!: Whoopi's Big Book of Relationships by Whoopi Goldberg
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Whoopi Goldberg's sense of humor. This book is not so much a humorous book as it is a self-help book for the person who is struggling with relationships, Whoopi style. Whoopi has opinions and she shares them with you. You may or may not agree with the details, but the overall theme is that you have to take care of you first and be yourself before you can be in a relationship. Be honest and open from the start and never compromise.

I would have liked to see more of her humor coming through. It was still fun to listen to her read (I listened to the audio book) but overall it wasn't a book/message I thought I needed to hear, but it may be good for people that need a new outlook on their own relationships.

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